The interim government of Bangladesh has declared BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia a Very Important Person (VVIP) due to her current health condition and political stature. The decision was made during a special meeting of the Advisory Council held at the State Guest House Jamuna, chaired by the Chief Adviser. The council prayed for Zia’s recovery and urged the nation to do the same. Officials stated that the VVIP status aims to ensure uninterrupted medical care, enhanced security, and logistical support for her treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. The government also mentioned the possibility of arranging advanced medical treatment abroad if necessary. Khaleda Zia’s family and party have been informed of the decision, which takes immediate effect. The move underscores her continued significance in Bangladesh’s political landscape despite her prolonged illness and limited political activity in recent years.

More than 70 secretaries from various ministries in Bangladesh have opposed proposals for a steep pay hike under the upcoming ninth pay scale, urging the Pay Commission to make realistic recommendations in line with the government’s financial capacity. The commission has so far held four rounds of consultations with secretaries and discussions with over 250 organizations, both online and in person. While some groups have demanded salary increases up to three or four times the current levels, a significant number of secretaries have cautioned against such moves, emphasizing fiscal sustainability. Commission officials said the process of gathering opinions was challenging due to scheduling constraints but noted that the feedback is being carefully reviewed. They expect to finalize and submit the recommendations within the stipulated timeframe, with special attention to minimum wage structures and grade reclassification.

In the latest Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) auction, all major Bangladeshi cricket stars found teams, though Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad initially went unsold. Later, Rajshahi Warriors picked Mushfiqur at his base price, while Rangpur Riders signed Mahmudullah. Rajshahi head coach Hannan Sarkar revealed that although Mushfiqur was not part of their initial plan, the team was prepared to spend up to Tk 1 crore to secure him if necessary. Sarkar explained that when their initial recruitment strategy did not go as planned, they saw an opportunity to bring in a player of Mushfiqur’s caliber and adjusted their approach accordingly. He added that no other available player matched Mushfiqur’s experience and leadership, and he had reserved funds specifically for the wicketkeeper-batsman. Ultimately, Rajshahi managed to sign Mushfiqur for less than the amount they were willing to pay, which Sarkar described as a fortunate outcome for the franchise.

Golam Mortoza, the Press Minister at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, has requested the Ministry of Information to clarify his entitlement to secretary-level allowances. In a letter dated November 25, 2024, he stated that although he was appointed on a two-year contractual basis as Minister (Press) with the rank of secretary and a basic salary of 78,000 taka, he continues to receive allowances at the joint secretary level. Mortoza argued that this discrepancy has deprived him of benefits corresponding to his official rank. He attached copies of his appointment contract and the Finance Division’s opinion, urging that the allowances be recalculated and disbursed from his joining date. The letter, once circulated on social media, quickly went viral, sparking public discussion about bureaucratic benefits and rank-based entitlements in foreign missions.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been allowed to join the appeal against the High Court verdict that declared several provisions of Bangladesh’s 15th Constitutional Amendment, including the abolition of the caretaker government system, as unconstitutional. The Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, granted his petition to be a party to the case. Earlier, the Supreme Court had permitted the appeal against the High Court’s ruling, which restored the referendum provision and invalidated certain clauses of the amendment for contradicting the Constitution’s basic structure of democracy. The High Court had observed that free and fair elections under a partisan government had failed to reflect the people’s will, emphasizing that democracy is a fundamental constitutional principle. The 15th Amendment, passed in 2011, abolished the caretaker government system, recognized Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation, and made several other constitutional changes. The ongoing appeal seeks to annul the entire amendment.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain stated that the Bangladesh government will take necessary steps to send BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia abroad for medical treatment if her party or family formally decides to do so. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, he clarified that the government has no objection to facilitating her treatment overseas once an official request is made. Hossain also mentioned that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has not yet applied for a travel pass to return to Bangladesh, but one would be issued if he requests it. The adviser added that the government has not received any formal communication regarding Tarique Rahman’s return to Dhaka. The remarks come amid ongoing discussions about Khaleda Zia’s health condition and possible medical treatment abroad.

The interim government of Bangladesh has declared former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as a Very Very Important Person (VVIP). The announcement was made on Tuesday, November 2, through a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing following a special meeting of the Advisory Council at the State Guest House Jamuna. The meeting, presided over by the Chief Adviser, included prayers for Khaleda Zia’s recovery and called upon the nation to pray for her health. The decision took into account her current medical condition, ensuring uninterrupted hospital treatment, and possible arrangements for advanced treatment abroad if necessary. It also emphasized her security, travel convenience, and high national stature. Relevant agencies have been instructed to implement the decision immediately, and her family and political party have been informed of the development.

The Bangladeshi government has postponed a high-level training workshop focused on maintaining law and order ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. The event, titled “Coordinated Role in Maintaining Law and Order for Fair Elections,” was scheduled to take place on December 3 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka. A notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, signed by Deputy Secretary Md. Shimul Akter, confirmed the cancellation. The workshop was expected to bring together top officials including divisional commissioners, police commissioners, DIGs, judges, district administrators, and election officers. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed was to attend as chief guest, with Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul as special guest. The sudden postponement has raised uncertainty about coordination efforts for election-time law enforcement preparedness.

Bangladesh’s President has issued the 'Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance, 2025', introducing the death penalty and life imprisonment for those found guilty of enforced disappearances. The ordinance, gazetted by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division on December 1, establishes special tribunals at district and divisional levels to handle such cases. It classifies enforced disappearance as a non-bailable and non-compoundable offense. Government officials or law enforcement members who detain, abduct, or conceal a person’s whereabouts, resulting in deprivation of legal protection, will face severe penalties. If the victim dies or remains missing for over five years, the offender may face the death penalty or life imprisonment. The ordinance also prescribes punishment for destroying evidence or maintaining secret detention centers. Senior officers or commanders who order, permit, or fail to prevent such acts will be held equally accountable. Trials may proceed in absentia if the accused is a fugitive, and detainee information may be withheld temporarily for state security reasons.

A man in Tamil Nadu, India, allegedly murdered his wife and posted a selfie with her body on social media. The incident occurred on Sunday in Coimbatore, where the victim, identified as Sri Priya, worked at a private firm. Her husband, Balamurugam from Tirunelveli, reportedly attacked her at a women’s hostel after suspecting her of having an extramarital affair. According to police, he hid a machete in his clothes, confronted his wife, and during a heated argument, fatally assaulted her. Following the killing, he took a selfie with the body and shared it on WhatsApp, accusing her of betrayal. The gruesome act caused panic among hostel residents. Balamurugam did not flee the scene and was arrested by police shortly afterward. The murder weapon was recovered, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the crime.

At least 12 people have died and 25 others were injured after two boats sank in the Iparía River port in Peru’s central Ucayali region following a landslide. Local authorities reported that around 40 to 50 people remain missing. The incident occurred in the Amazon jungle area when a sudden landslide caused the anchored boats to submerge. Rescue teams, including the navy, are continuing search operations while families of the missing have gathered at the site. Captain Jonathan Novoa confirmed that nine bodies have been recovered so far. Images broadcast by local media showed luggage and goods floating in the river as distressed residents ran along the riverbank. Officials are working to determine the exact number of passengers on board and to identify the victims. The cause of the landslide is under investigation, and emergency services remain on high alert in the affected region.

Education Adviser Professor Dr. C.R. Abrar issued a stern warning to secondary school teachers who have suspended student examinations as part of their ongoing protests. In an interview with the national news agency BSS on December 1, he stated that such actions violate government service regulations and that those responsible will face disciplinary measures. Dr. Abrar criticized the teachers’ demand for promotion to the ninth grade, calling it unjustified since their employment terms placed them in the tenth grade. He emphasized that the ninth grade is reserved for BCS administration cadre officers and that any change would require inter-ministerial coordination. The adviser condemned the teachers for using students as leverage in their movement, labeling it unethical and harmful to students and parents. He reiterated the government’s firm stance that examinations must continue without interruption and instructed all teachers to resume exams immediately or face punishment under civil service rules.

At least three people were killed and ten others injured in a collision between a passenger bus and a stationary truck on the Arial Khan Bridge in Shibchar, Madaripur, on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred around 9:30 a.m. when a Dhaka-bound bus of Welcome Paribahan hit a truck that had broken down earlier on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway. The front portion of the bus was severely damaged, leading to multiple casualties. Police and fire service personnel quickly arrived at the scene to conduct rescue operations, sending the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities have since removed both vehicles from the road, and traffic movement has returned to normal. Efforts are underway to identify the deceased victims, according to Shibchar Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jahurul Islam.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain has urged the public not to believe rumors regarding the health condition of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, he stated that Khaleda Zia is receiving treatment as per the recommendations of her medical board and that any decision about taking her abroad for further treatment will depend solely on the board’s advice. Dr. Zahid confirmed that foreign specialists are also scheduled to examine her condition. He emphasized that all necessary preparations are in place, but no steps can be taken beyond the board’s guidance. He also acknowledged that the government is cooperating in her treatment and requested prayers from the people for her recovery, expressing hope that she will improve soon.

Medical technologists and pharmacists at Dhaka National Medical Institute Hospital observed a two-hour work stoppage on Tuesday, demanding implementation of the 10th grade pay scale. The strike took place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., during which the protesters gathered in front of the hospital’s outpatient department to voice their grievances. They alleged that despite working under hazardous conditions during crises such as COVID-19 and dengue outbreaks, they have been denied fair pay and promotion parity with other diploma-holding officers who were upgraded to second-class status. The protesters warned of tougher nationwide movements if their demands are not met soon, announcing plans for a half-day strike on November 3 and a full-day strike on November 4. Leaders of the technologists’ association criticized the interim government for ignoring their repeated appeals and vowed to continue their peaceful protests until the 10th grade implementation is realized.